Page 6 - Almondsbury FC v Shirehampton 221022

Visitors to the Field today.....
Shirehampton FC

Shirehampton FC began life as Kingsweston Star playing friendlies where ever and
when-ever games could be arranged. Then in 1952 the name was changed to
Penpole United and the club was elected to play in the Church of England league,
their ‘home’ pitch on the downs.

In 1953 the team moved closer to their home of Shirehampton and started playing
at the Lamplighters Playing Field on the banks of the Avon in Shirehampton.
Highlights of these times were bruising local Derby clashes against St George
Easton and Gordano where the opposition and large amounts of Supporters would
arrive on the near-by Pill Shirehampton ferry.
In 1954 the team moved to its present pitch at Penpole Lane and the team became
Shirehampton Sports. By this time the team were competing in the Bristol and
District League and later in the early 70’s dropping the Sports from their title.

In the early 70’s Shirehampton FC were prevented from progressing into the
County League football by bureaucracy and inter club politics. So to achieve their
senior football ambitions they applied to the Somerset Senior league and were
accepted into Division 1. Under the guidance of John Watkins they achieved
promotion to the premier division. Subsequent seasons saw a precession of
managers, resulting in a very unsettled period.

Stability came in the 90’s in the shape of Pete McCall who had been a player with
the club in the 70’s. During his 10 year reign he achieved League cup winners and
then at that time probably the greatest achievement in the clubs history the
Somerset Senior Premier Division winners in 1999-2000 season. This was followed
up in the 2000 – 2001 season where we finished as Somerset Senior runners up,
building his successful team with local talent and youngsters brought through from
youth football. At one time Pete’s side boasted no fewer than 4 pairs of brothers
during the 1997-1998 season! Unfortunately during this successful period,
Shirehampton FC’s progression was prevented by League ground grading, and the
Penpole Lane facilities were deemed not to be at the standard to support Western
(Screwfix) League status. Relegation from the Somerset County Premier Division
for the first team and relegation from the Bristol Premier Combination for the
Reserves in the 2001-2002 season capped a miserable year.

Early 2003 Pete McCall was to return to the club again and take on the Chairman’s
role completing a remarkable player / manager/ chairman treble.